In the article Patriarchy, The System by Allan Johnson, he explains that we are stuck in a mind set that our social structures begin and end with the individual. Meaning that, we are all responsible for ourselves and how we act, including as it relates to patriarchy. However, he goes on to explain that this is not what causes oppression and a society of privilege. The system is already set up to oppress, and just by being in it we are set up to keep it going.
The reason it is important to see that patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity is because real change can only come from first understanding the system and how we take part in it, then taking the path of resistance to go in a direction that will not continue to support this system.
One way patriarchy exists in cultural structures is how men are expected to become leaders and women are encouraged to try as an act of strength and independence. This already sets up an uneven playing ground. The women will have to try much harder to make it into leading positions. As a result of the attention that these changes attract they usually are made to be such a big deal. This is a good example of why the path of least resistance, having men in power, continues to be taken. There are not many people who are willing to endure the challenge of going against the grain. Staying in the manufactured roles assigned to genders creates a culture that is based around those roles.
This plays out through the individuals, beliefs about themselves and others, and the decision they make. As well as interpersonally, women will have an expectation of themselves from the patriarchal rules, these rules will seem to benefit them if they take part. They will likely have something in common with other women, they will find a partner that will reinforce that they’re doing a good job. I don’t think any of this is necessarily better than freedom, but if all that’s known is to do something new and unknown, or to do something tried and true that gives you attention and gold stars, no matter how uncomfortable it can also be, it would be insane to choose differently. So the system is almost tied into our core needs and beliefs as human beings.
